Method of making antifriction bearing assemblies



METHOD OF MAKING ANTIFRIGTION BEARING AssEMBLIEs.

Filed April 25, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 9 2 i; :7/ l/ H n +vl||| IlPatented Sept. 21, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE:v

METHOD OFMAKINGANTIFRICTION BEARING ASSEMBLIES Glen F. Johnson, Detroit,Mich., assigner to Bower Roller Bearing Company, Detroit, Mich., acorporation of Michigan 1 f Application April 25, 1945', serial No.590,232

1 The present invention relates to anti-friction bearing `assemblies andmore particularly, to a methodv for making the same. y

The primary object of the invention is to 'pro'- vide an anti-frictionbearing assembly having yone of its race members formed with a landsurface and an annular recess with an inclined Wall surface connectingsaid land surface adapted to receive a continuous locking ring, whichlocking ring is seated in sai-d recess byl a spinning operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and unique methodfor seating locking rings in therrace members of anti-friction bearingassemblies by placing the bearing assembly and locking ring on arotating support and moving a spinning and formingdisc or the like underpressure into engagement with the locking ring so as to deform a portionof the ring andv cause the saine to be permanently set and seated insaid annular recess with the remaining por'- tion seated on said landsurface.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bearing assembly inwhich one or both 'of the race members are provided with kan annularland surface and an annular recess arranged in close relation forreceiving a looking ring, a portion of which is adaptedto nt the landsurface so as to be snugly received thereon with the remaining portionformed for being spun into position in the annular recess by means ,ofAa v spinning operation so that a portion of said locking ring will bepermanently seated and settherein.

Another object of the invention is to provide a continuous locking ringfor roller bearing assemblies and the like which is adapted `to be perimanently set and seated in the annularrecess i'n one of the race membersof said rollerb'earing assemblyso as to resist axial bearing thrusts aswell as retain the race members and rollers of said assembly inoperative relation withvrespect to one another. I Another object of theinventionis to provide a continuous locking ring of L-shapedcross-section which is adapted to be positioned on the land surface ofthe race member *of*` an antifriction bearing assembly so -that onev ofthe anges of said locking ring may be snugly and mentioned 'flange willbe deformed beyond its elastic limit and be permanently-set or seated insaid annuiar groove so as to resist axial bear'- 4 Claims.' @L29-'1484)'l v 2y f in'g thrusts as well as retain the lbearing unit'in assembledrelation.y

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentduring the course of the' ,foi-iowmgdescription of the accompanyingdrawf Figure I is va top elevational view' of the spinning' apparatusembodying the invention,y illustrating portions thereof in section toshow the manner in which an anti-'friction bearing 'unit is supported onthel rotary carrier with the continuous lockfin'g ring inposit'ion forbeing" deformed by a movable spinning die member;

' FigureZ' is a top' elevational View similar' toFig'- ure 1,showi`ngthe manner in which the spinning die member ismoved relative t' therotary support t'o' deforrn one 'of the flanges' of the L-shapedlocking'ring beyond its elastic limit so that `the fi'a'uige'e will bepermanently set an'd seated in the' annularngroovefor recess;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of a rollerv bearingA unitconstructed in accordance with the present invention 'and showing aportion' thereof'b'r'ok'en awa-yv and in section to illustrate themanner in' which the continuous locking ringA is seated in the annulargroove'in the race member;r

Figure 4 -is an enlarged cross sectional 'view of one end of `a rollerbearing racen'iem'ber 'showing the' manner in which the land-surface andannular recess are formed therein; and' Figure 5' is a diametricalcross-sectionalview of a modified form of the invention showing themanner inwhich the continuous L-shaped locking' ring isrv applied toonel of the race members o'f the r'ollerf'bearing unit in which -thebearing rollers arespaced or separatedby the pins of a bearing cage. y YDetailed 'description of the invention 1h the drawings, attention isdirected to Figures 1 and-2 wherein there shown an apparatus forspinning' a locking ring' on an anti-frictionv or rollerjbearingstructure so as :to retain the race .,members' and bearing elementsinassembledfrelation'. Generally, the reference character. 5 will be'employed to. designate a rotary bearing assembly carrier, while thereference character 6 will be employedr to represent a movable spinningtoolsupportwhich is arranged for movement toA aiidwfroV with respcttothe rotary carrier 5.

The iotarycarrier' 5 includes a rotating head -6 which, if desired, maybe the rotating head of a turret screw machine or the like, having acentrai bere 1. The head B1 isI adapted to be drivingly engagedyby'suitable-` motor means to impart rolimiting the rocking movement ofthe spinning: tool frame 33 about the pivot pin 34 in one di rection ofpivotal movement. A lock nut i4 is'l threaded on the adjusting screw 43to retain the same in an adjusted position. In order to limit therocking movement of the spinning tool frame 33,win,the1other directionof rocking movement, av bore 44a is formed in the polygonalshaped head30 for receiving a limiting screw 45 which likewise may be held in anadjusted posik tion by means of a lock nut 45.

bore I5, which is in co-alignment with the bore *y 1 in the rotatinghead 6 as well as the bore I5 in the face plate l2. The free end of thetubui lar projection I3 is tapered as at I1 to form a Irusto-conicalwedge surface for being engaged by the tapered surfaces I8 ofsemi-circular chuck jaw members I9. The upper ends of the chuck jawmembers I9 are provided with extensions 20 which terminate in bearingbosses 2| which are provided with aligned bores 22 forreceiving atransversely extending pin 2,3. Reoiprocably mounted within the bore 1of the rotary head 6 is a shaft 24 having a bore 25 through which thepin 23 extends so that upon reciprocation ofthe shaft 24, thesemi-circular chuck jaws I9 will be moved inwardly oroutwardly,depending upon the direction of the motion of the shaft 24 so as tocause the chuck jaws I9 to be expanded or contracted. Longitudinal-slots 25 are provided in the tubular projection I3 for permittinglimited movement of the transverse pin 23 to grip and chuck a bearingassembly in position vso that the locking ring may be operated upon by aspinning tool.

The spinning tool 26a comprises a turret head or the like 21` mounted ona longitudinally movable support (not shown) to facilitate the movementof the spinningtool toward and away from the anti-friction bearing unitcarrier 5. The turret head 21 is provided lwith a radially extendingbore 28 in which is slidably mounted a shaft 29 having formed atA oneend thereof a polygonalshaped head 30, While the other end is adapted tobe connected to a suitable vcontrol mechanism such as cams and the like(not. shown). It will thus be seen that the turret head 2,1 andpolygonal-shaped spinning tool carrier head 30 may be movedindependentlyy of one another toward and away from the bearing unitchucking carrier 5 by suitable means lsuch as cams and the like whichform no part of the present invention.

The polygonal-shaped spinning tool carrier head 30 is provided at oneend withan inwardly extending slot 3l to vprovide `spaced furcations 32for receivingtherebetweenthe frame 33 of a spinning tool. suitableopenings in the furcations 32 as well as a suitable opening in the frame33 so that the spinning tool supporting frame 33 may rock about the pin34 as a fulcrum point.

Provided in the spinning Ytool supporting frame 33 is a downwardlyinclined slot 35 for receiving a spinning tool,'such`as` a disc 35 whichis mounted on a supporting pin 31, the ends of which are received insuitable bearing openings 38 and 39 in the spinning tool frame 33. Theperipheral portion of the spinning wheel 35 is beveled on each side ofthe center thereof, asat 40 and 4 I,vwith the bevel surface 4I slightlylarger than the surface 49 to provide -a relatively wide contacting facefor engaging one of the anges of the L-section locking ring.

An extension 42 is formed on the spinning tool frame 33 for receiving anadjusting screw 43 for A pivot pin 34 extends throughv Itis-to be notedthat the pivot pin 34 is oiset from the axis of the rotary bearing unitchucking device or carrier 5 so that by manipulating `the turrethead 21and polygonal-shaped head. 30, thespinning tool carrier frame 33 may beyrocked about the pivot point 34 so as to move:

the spinning tool 35 toward the axis of the rotary bearing unit carrier5. In order to return the spinning tool carrier frame 33, aspringpressed 4plunger 41 is mounted in a bore 48 in thepolygonal-shaped head 30, which bore is in reg; istry with the slot 3|so that the coil spring-49E therein may yieldingly urgethe plunger 41against a portion ofthe spinning tool frame 33 received in said slot3land placedin the fulcrum pin 34.

Roller bearing and continuous locking ring The roller bearing structureincludes an inner,

race member designated by the reference character 50 and an outer racemember 5I. A series of bearing rollers 52r are generally interposedbetween the inner and` outer race members 59 and 5I and, as illustratedin Figures 1 and 2, the outer race member 5I is provided withan internalgroove 53 forming a raceway between shoulder portions 54 and 55.` f

The inner race member 59 is machined to provide a raceway 65 having ashoulder 55 at one end thereofv and a stepped portion at the oppositeend providing a land surface 55 and an annular recess or groove 51. Theannular groove 511s formed triangular in cross-section with one wallthereof as at 58 being relatively shorter than -the other wall as at 59.Thus, the land surface 59 is .formed adjacent the groove 51 and betweensaid groove and the stepped portion 69 connecting the raceway 65.

A- continuous locking ring 6I which is L-shaped in section isf'adaptedto be positioned as shown by dotted linesin Figure 4 with the flangedportion 62 ofthe continuous locking ring arranged for reception in theannular recess or groove 51, while 4the other anged portion 63 extendsradially from the land surface 56to provide an abutment wall fortheradial wall` surfaces of the bearing rollers 52.

It is to lbe noted that the junctureof the short Method of assemblingthe locking ring on the bearing um't The roller bearing unit includingth'e inner and outer race members 59 and 5I with the bearing rollers 52therebetween Aare adapted to be supported on the rotary carrier 5 afterthe continuof the 'inner lrace member 50 which, vit Jis to 'be noted,has an vinne-rdlameter of av size Vto frictionally engage the vlandsurface 56 and .temporarily retain the locking ring 61 in lplace fwh'ilethe bearing unit is being clamped on the vrotary carrler 5. 11n clampingthe bearing unit in place, the reciprocating shaft 24 is movedhorizontally so as to force the chuck 'jaws--lsS-outwardly with respectto'the cylindrical abutment 8. Thus, the chucking jaws I9 are contractedso that the innerrace member 59 may be positioned with the semi-circularchucking jaws I9 extending through the opening thereof. When the bearingunit has thus been placed on the semi-cylindrical chucking .jaws I9withthe inner race member in :abutment with the cylindrical abutment 3,'the shaft 2411s Amoved inthe ,reverse directionto expand thesemi-cylindrical chucking jaws I9 into-engagement with the inner racemember and thereby retain thebearingassembly in position. The rotaryhead 6 is then connected with' a source of motive power Y so that thebearing unit as Well as' the continuous locking ring 6| will be rotatedabout the axis of the shaft 24.

The turret head 21 and polygonal-shaped head 30 are then simultaneouslymoved to a position toward the carrier so that the metal spinning disc36 will be arranged with one of its beveled surfaces as at 40 inengagement with the flange 63 of the continuous locking ring while theother beveled surface as at 4| will be in engagement with the flange 52of the continuous locking ring.

After the spinning tool or disc 36 has th'us been positioned, thepolygonal-shaped head 30 is locked against further movement and theturret head 21 is then moved in a direction toward the carrier 5 so thata portion of the turret head will engage th'e adjusting screw 43 androck the spinning tool frame 33 on its pivot pin 34. As this occurs, thespinning disc 36 is moved toward the axis of the rotary bearing unitcarrier 5 so that the beveled surface 4I of the spinning disc will spinthe flange 62 of the continuous locking ring and thereby deform the samebeyond its elastic limit so as to permanently set the flange 62 in theannular recess or groove 51 withI a portion thereof in engagement withthe Wall 59 of said groove and the outer edge of said flange in abuttingrelationship with the short wall 58 of said groove. It is to be notedthat the continuous locking ring will thus be held in position to forman abutment wall for the bearing rollers 52 with a portion th'ereofreceived on the land surface 56 and the flanged portion received in theannular recess 51.

As shown in Figure 2, the continuous locking ring 5I has been spun anddeformed so as to be permanently seated in the annular groove 51 so asto retain the component parts of the bearing unit in assembled relation.

In Figure 5 there is shown a modied form of the invention, and it is tobe noted that the inner race member 59a as Well as the outer race member5| a are formed in identically the same manner as the bearing membersshown and described in connection with the form of the inventionillustrated in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive. Likewise, the continuouslocking ring Gla is received in an annular groove 51a with a portionthereof seated on the land surface 56a and the remaining flange 63aextending radially from the land surface to provide an abutment wall forthe bearing rollers 52a interposed between the inner and outer racemembers 50a and 51a. The bearing rollers 52a are adapted to be separatedby a bearing cage 6. including supporting rings 15a connected by.circumferentially spaced pinslGa. The lends ofthe pins 16a-are :reduced`as at 11a andy extend through openings 1in the bearing cage ring 15a.so as to be riveted orupset and locked in position.

In forming the roller bearing structure shown inFigure 5, the inner racemember 59a is arranged on the carrier 5 with the semi-circular chuckjaws I9 extending through the opening of said inner race member. Thechuck jaws are expanded to grip 'the bearing unit andthe spinningtool'36 vis applied to deform and set the flange 62a of the continuouslocking ring 5|a in the annular groove' 51a. It isto be noted thatalthough the'bearing rollers are spaced by a cage, the lock# ing ringmaybe applied with ease because the supporting rings 15a ofthe bearingcage do not interfere withkthe proper positioning of the spinning tool36 or the-application of pressure thereto while the'bearing unit isbeing rapidly rotated on the bearing unit carrier 5.

` It isV'to be understood that the forms of. the invention herewithshown and described are tov be taken as preferred embodiments of thesame and that various changes may be made in the shape, size andarrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the inventionor the scope of the subjoined claims.

What I claim is:

1. A method of making anti-friction bearing assemblies havingconcen-trically arranged inner and outer race members withanti-fricti-on bearing elements dispos-ed therebetween, comprisingforming the end portion of one of said race members with a land surfaceand an annular recess in close relation thereto, fit-ting said landsurface with la continuous locking ring having a portion extending oversaid annular recess, rotating said bearing assembly :and locking ring,and nally moving a spinning tool into contactual engagement with saidlocking ring and spinning the portion thereof extending over said recessinto said recess by cold working and permanently set within the Iannularrecess.

2. A method of making anti-friction bearing assemblies having inner andcuter race members with anti-friction bearing elements arrangedtherebetween, comprising forming the end portion of one of said racemembers With a land surface and annular recess therein, fitting alocking ring of L-shlaped section over said land surface so that thelocking ring will be frictionally retained on said land surface with theflan-ged portion thereof overlying said annular recess, rotating saidbearing assembly and locking ring, applying a spinning and upsettingtool to the flanged portion of said locking ring while the bearingassembly is being rotated Iabout its axis, and finally applying pressureto said spinning tool to deforrn and permanently set said flangedportion within said annular recess with the remaining portion thereofprojecting radially beyond the raceway surface to provide an abutmentsurface for the anti-friction bearing elemen-ts.

3. A method of assembling anti-friction bearing units having inner andouter race members with anti-friction bearing elements arrangedtherebetween, comprising machining the end portion lof one of said racemembers to provide a land surface and an annular groove thereon, forminga continuous locking ring of a size and shape to fit snugly on said landsurf-ace with a portion thereof extending over said annular recess,rotating said bearing assembly and locking ring, Iapplying a spinning:and upsetting rtool to the portion of said locking ring extending oversaid annular recess, and finally exerting pressure on said spinning andupsetting tool to -deform said portion of the locking ring extendingover the annular recess into said recess and permanently .set the samewithin said annular recess.

4. A method of assembling anti-friction bearing units having inner andouter race members With anti-friction bearing elements arrangedtherebetween, comprising machining the end of one of said race members-to provide a land surface and an .annular groove inclined relatively tosaid land surf-ace, forming a continuous locking ring of L-shapedsection and of a circular size to snugly t on the land surface with oneof the flanged portions of said locking ring adapted to extend over saidannular recess and the other flange extending radially Ito provide anabutment sh-oulder for the anti-friction bearing elements, rotatinglsaid be-aring i.assembly with the locking ring in position, applying aspinning and upsetting tool to the locking ring While 'the bearingassembly and locking ring are being rotated, and finally exertingpressure on said spinningfand upsetting tool to deform the flange ofsaid locking ring extending over said annular flange beyond its elasticlimit into said recess and permanently set the same within said annularrecess in interlocking engagement therewith.

GLEN F. JOHNSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent: f

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